Page 8 - 2020 Impact Report Full

Shannel

Shannel, a disabled military veteran, had been physically
and emotionally abused by her husband for six years.
She learned about The Shelter’s services after a call
from our Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team
(InVEST) Advocate. Each morning, this advocate combs
through police reports to identify and contact domestic
violence victims in high lethality situations.
Shannel’s husband had threatened her with a gun in the
home they shared with their five-year-old son. Shannel
was granted an injunction for protection, but within hours
of his release, her abuser violated the order three times,
stalking her from a neighbor’s house and breaking into
their home to get his guns. Because the electric bill was
in his name, he had the power turned off in the house.
When it came time for her abuser’s court hearing, Shannel
was too stressed and afraid to testify. Knowing her
absence would result in a lighter sentence, the InVEST
advocate helped Shannel fill out a danger assessment
and sought permission to submit Shannel’s testimony
into the record at the hearing. Despite objections from the
public defender, the judge allowed Shannel’s testimony to
be read and set her abuser’s bond at $6,000, more than
twice the normal bond. The judge also required her abuser
to wear a GPS monitoring device.
“I am so thankful she reached out to me when my
battle began,” Shannel says of her advocate. “With her
guidance, I have been able to stand stronger than I
thought I could. She helped me keep my honor and find
the courage to fight for the life and safety of myself and
my son.”

47 days Average length of emergency shelter stay in 2019-2020

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